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Blue Jays exercise Janssen's $4 million option

Blue Jays exercise Janssen's $4 million option

9/24/13: Casey Janssen gets Nick Markakis to line out to first to end the game and earn the save in the Blue Jays' 3-2, 10-inning win

By Gregor Chisholm
/
MLB.com |

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have decided to exercise the $4 million option on Casey Janssen's contract for the 2014 season.

The team also exercised its options on the contracts of designated hitter Adam Lind and infielder Mark DeRosa, while declining its option on infielder Munenori Kawasaki, making him a free agent.

The Blue Jays formally made the moves on Friday. Their option on Janssen was part of a two-year deal worth $5.9 million that the 32-year-old right-hander signed prior to the 2012 season.

Toronto's decision hardly came as a surprise following Janssen's successful run as the Blue Jays closer. He finished the 2013 campaign with 34 saves in 36 opportunities while posting a 2.56 ERA. Janssen also struck out 50 batters and walked just 13 over 52 2/3 innings.

The impressive numbers were posted despite the fact that Janssen underwent shoulder surgery prior to the season. He battled lingering soreness for an extended period of time while working his way back, but avoided a stint on the disabled list and appeared in 56 games.

Janssen is now eligible for free agency following the 2014 season. He has spent his entire seven-year big league career in Toronto and owns a 3.48 ERA in 447 1/3 innings. Janssen is part of an impressive Blue Jays late-inning relief corps that includes Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil and Sergio Santos.